1. Alternative Ways of Presenting Historical Census Data Luuk Schreven & Anouk de Rijk luuk.schreven@niwi.knaw.nlluuk.schreven@niwi.knaw.nl & anouk.de.rijk@dans.knaw.nlanouk.de.rijk@dans.knaw.nl Netherlands Institute for Scientific Information Services

2. Structure of presentation Introduction & objectives Dissemination & publication Nesstar Source oriented vs. usability/ flexibility Excel-Cannibal™ data extraction Conclusions

3. Introduction to census project 1997 - 1999: –Scanning 200 books, 42.500 pages –Data-entry aggregate census data 1899 2002 - March 2004: –Validation and correction of aggregate census data 1795-1859 and 1930 –archiving digital census microdata 1960 and 1971 March 2003 – July 2006: –Life Courses in Context (see: http://www.lifecoursesincontext.nl) http://www.lifecoursesincontext.nl –Data-entry of aggregate census data 1869-1956 –Documentation, harmonization, access and research

4. Introduction II Main objective: –Source accurate digital copies of aggregate census tables 1795 – 1971 Partners: –Statistics Netherlands –International Institute for Social History –Historical Databank of Dutch Municipalities –University of Nijmegen

5. What has been realized? (restricted) Access to original micro data files for 1960 and 1971 census New English website up and running –www.dutchcensusdata.nlwww.dutchcensusdata.nl –40.000 pages of aggregate census data –Documentation is available

13. Data dissemination Pilot investigation –Beyond 20/20 Publication seems easy Commercial software –Statistics Netherlands’ StatLine Publication difficult, mostly through bureaucratic bumps Software only available at Statistics Netherlands –Nesstar Encouraging results & knowledge at Steinmetz-archive Software available Conclusion: extended testing Nesstar

14. What is NESSTAR? Data publishing and analysis tool Supports micro-data as well as aggregated data A published dataset can contain data, metadata and additional information

15. Cubes Multidimensional tables consisting of dimension variables and measure variables Dimensions can be hierarchical Allows the user to arrange the data display online Option to map the data and visualize the data in graphs

25. Conclusion of pilot study Alternative dissemination through Nesstar: –less focus on historical accuracy –more focus on usability and flexibility –not feasible within the time-limit of the current project

26. Lessons When digitizing a source: be source accurate When usability of the data is your concern: strive for flexibility Flexibility & complex multidimensional tables aren’t easily compatible…

27. Excel-cannibal™ Idea: every Excel tables is an accumulation of facts Objective: direct access to the data and direct access to all components a fact is based on Solution: Database containing both data and metadata based on smallest data component in Excel tables

28. Back-end vs. Front-end Excel-Cannibal™ will build the back-end database Front-end: structured search & retrieval options Output: data tables & GIS Applying for funding this fall

29. Questions? Url: www.dutchcensusdata.nlwww.dutchcensusdata.nl E-mail: luuk.schreven@niwi.knaw.nl or anouk.de.rijk@dans.knaw.nl luuk.schreven@niwi.knaw.nl anouk.de.rijk@dans.knaw.nl